I kind of like Fiona and Cake better than Finn and Jake I think! Though I missed Princess Bubblegum, Marceline and Lumpy Space Princess, whose male coI kind of like Fiona and Cake better than Finn and Jake I think! Though I missed Princess Bubblegum, Marceline and Lumpy Space Princess, whose male counterparts weren't as interesting here. But, this is Fionna and Cake's book, and I really liked those characters....more

This was excellent. This is the first story in a three-part series, and it had humor, adventure, mystery and a great friendship. I'd give it to any agThis was excellent. This is the first story in a three-part series, and it had humor, adventure, mystery and a great friendship. I'd give it to any age, as it has appeal for all readers. The story is set in an alternate Feudal Asia, and centers around a boy named Kai, who has come to the Nameless city to become a soldier, and Rat, an orphan girl who depends on the kindness of city monks. Their friendship is reluctant at first, as Kai is considered part of the occupying nation that conquered the city. However, their mutual love of fun and adventure brings them together. There are some mysteries that aren't resolved by the end of the book, but I'm sure they'll turn up in the next book. Out in 2016!...more

Picked this up because of a promotion on Netgalley. I wasn't previously a fan of this series, and while it was fine, it felt flimsy and superficial. IPicked this up because of a promotion on Netgalley. I wasn't previously a fan of this series, and while it was fine, it felt flimsy and superficial. I might read he whole thing if it was part of a collected set so it could make more sense. Good for fantasy fans....more

Kind of soapy, but I loved the atmosphere and the artwork. Batman is still visible in this offshoot of the Gotham universe, but he's a background charKind of soapy, but I loved the atmosphere and the artwork. Batman is still visible in this offshoot of the Gotham universe, but he's a background character, not directly involved in the action. The plot was a little confusing, with the main character's mother either living in an insane asylum or possibly having been put there and now dead. I was unclear. Nice mystery angle, with the possibility of ghosts haunting the eerie Gotham Academy. I'd read more of these despite the confusing story line and emphasis on boyfriend issues....more

This was really fun. Could have gone deeper, but I liked the premise, and it was a brisk read. While the characters were slow to develop, I felt likeThis was really fun. Could have gone deeper, but I liked the premise, and it was a brisk read. While the characters were slow to develop, I felt like there was a general sense of their personalities that will hopefully develop further in the next book. This book can stand alone, but I could easily see the story continuing with a new set of adventures....more

Intensely confusing due to a choppy start. Dick Grayson wasn't given much room to grow as a character in this set, which focuses on his new status asIntensely confusing due to a choppy start. Dick Grayson wasn't given much room to grow as a character in this set, which focuses on his new status as a double agent for Batman. Believed dead, he has gone under cover at a spy ring, which was a pretty flimsy villain here. Maybe the story will develop more in later issues, but this wasn't quite the fun, pop-art adventure I was expecting based on the description and cover artwork. This was also riddled with mistakes and possibly missing an issue. I'm not sure, because the last one was duplicated within the galley. Still probably has appeal for Batman and Robin fans though....more

Not the greatest new series on the block in terms of interest-level, but it serves a purpose in that it's an early reader in comic book form. The storNot the greatest new series on the block in terms of interest-level, but it serves a purpose in that it's an early reader in comic book form. The story has a bit of a Rocky and Bullwinkle feel, with a deadpan style of narration that hovers over the action at all times. Part of a series. Kids will probably enjoy the gags in any case....more

Eccentric and fun, Rutabaga is an indefatigable hero. He's a traveling chef in search of all of the best and rarest ingredients, and his pluck and optEccentric and fun, Rutabaga is an indefatigable hero. He's a traveling chef in search of all of the best and rarest ingredients, and his pluck and optimism sometimes lead him into sticky situations. Great illustrations, especially all of the panel-by-panel close-ups of facial expressions....more

More didactic than I remember the previous volumes being, but it's been a while since I read them. Anne felt more summarized than developed as a charaMore didactic than I remember the previous volumes being, but it's been a while since I read them. Anne felt more summarized than developed as a character, who lost all of her charming eccentricity here. I think it's problematic to write a story about a young adult for children. Still, despite a lot of filler, this was easy, relaxing reading. ...more

Contrived and a little obvious, but it's a timely cash-in on the coding craze. It had its moments, and the coding puzzles were fun, but I didn't loveContrived and a little obvious, but it's a timely cash-in on the coding craze. It had its moments, and the coding puzzles were fun, but I didn't love it. For kids that like puzzles, mysteries, etc....more

Funny, of course, but also filled with some interesting and subtle messages about growing up and just being a kid. This is jam-packed with heavy-hittiFunny, of course, but also filled with some interesting and subtle messages about growing up and just being a kid. This is jam-packed with heavy-hitting graphic novel writers for kids. Raina Telegemeier (Smile and Drama), Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants), Jennifer Holme (Babymouse) and more! There's some cool interlude-style comedy between the comics from Lunch Lady and Babymouse that readers will enjoy, and there are some short author and illustrator bios in the back for kids to mull over. I loo forward to reading more of these....more

Picked this up for Faith Erin Hicks' illustrations: she's great. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the narrative, which is filled with humoPicked this up for Faith Erin Hicks' illustrations: she's great. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the narrative, which is filled with humor and heart. The main character visits his grandmother in the Canadian wilderness and finds an unusual totem that provides some interesting supernatural abilities to its wearer. The girl who lives next door is a reluctant friend who provides much of the humor. Two more available in this series to date. This was short and good for reluctant readers....more

This was really funny. A zoo puts on its own version of MacBeth after the place closes at night. Probably best for school-age children, who will get aThis was really funny. A zoo puts on its own version of MacBeth after the place closes at night. Probably best for school-age children, who will get all of the jokes. This could probably even be used with older children as a tool to see how spoofs work....more

Not exactly a thrill, this book seems to serve the same function of that of an early chapter book. Bird Cat Dog tells three different stories across tNot exactly a thrill, this book seems to serve the same function of that of an early chapter book. Bird Cat Dog tells three different stories across three panels per page. They're all separate, but also related. The wordless aspect allows young readers to create their own version of the events, though it was merely pleasant; nothing that stands out here....more

The Lunch Witch is a quirky and funny new series from Papercutz. The witch in question has to find work at a school cafeteria after years of decliningThe Lunch Witch is a quirky and funny new series from Papercutz. The witch in question has to find work at a school cafeteria after years of declining sales in witch's brew force her to get a regular job. I love the illustrations and the color palette, and the witch and her sidekicks, AKA familiars, have a great dynamic. After a few days on the job, the witch is propositioned by a young girl who wants a potion that will make her smarter. The witch is conflicted about helping someone, because she's supposed to be evil, but through a series of mishaps, the witch and the girl become friends. There's a nice angle focusing on what intelligence really means, too....more

I know this series isn't generally considered to be horror, but these books are horrifying. Very different in some ways from the first book, but alsoI know this series isn't generally considered to be horror, but these books are horrifying. Very different in some ways from the first book, but also a natural progression forward. This story reminded me throughout of Star Wars, but not for obvious reasons. Very dark, action-packed, filled with characters that can't be trusted and very much apace with the overarching theme of Star Wars: that we are as capable of evil as we are of good. The descriptions of the thickety were unsettling and vivid, and I worried throughout that the hero would succumb to the temptation to become a villain.

A lot to discuss in a classroom setting here. This was really enjoyable to read. Brilliantly crafted and conceived, I was on the edge of my seat throughout. Can't wait for the conclusion!...more

If I had to guess who the inspiration was for the Lumberjanes, my first instinct would lead me to Kathleen Hannah of Bikini Kill, the sometime leaderIf I had to guess who the inspiration was for the Lumberjanes, my first instinct would lead me to Kathleen Hannah of Bikini Kill, the sometime leader of the Riot Grrrl movement from way back in the long-lost early '90s and third-wave feminism. The tiniest details in this comic indirectly invoke that exuberant, girlish sisterhood, which can be for good and ill. Much like the Riot Grrrl movement itself, Lumberjanes is fun and empowering but also infantile and cloying. It seems the hype surrounding Lumberjanes rests more on the intention of the comic than the quality of it on its own terms. It was choppy and rather too typed in its characterizations, and I found it to be too referential of a lot of storylines from popular '80s and '90s movies, reference the "Temple of Doom" section in Lumberjanes to see what I mean.

Don't get me wrong, though. Lumberjanes is fun and will have a wide audience. I think it's important to have comics like this out there, especially in such a male-dominated industry that often puts women on the sidelines of the pages. But I don't think the intention of the comic should completely obscure its level of quality, which perhaps average at best....more

This was a little bleak. Lots of character deaths, character letdowns and just general disappointment throughout this book. Nothing really turned outThis was a little bleak. Lots of character deaths, character letdowns and just general disappointment throughout this book. Nothing really turned out well for anyone. It wouldn't surprise me if this is the conclusion to the Mouse Guard series, even though it's a prequel. The epilogue seems to imply that, though it remains ultimately unclear....more